Notification issued for higher fine on mask offenders

LUCKNOW: To enforce the use of mask in public places and impose a higher penalty of Rs 1,000 on offenders and Rs 10,000 on repeat offenders, the state government on Tuesday issued a notification for an amendment to the UP Epidemic Disease Covid -19 Regulations, 2021.

This eighth amendment will pave the way for higher penalty against the people moving in public places or outside their home without mask. In the earlier order, the state government had announced ₹500 fine on the defaulters.

Additional chief secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Amit Mohan Prasad said under the fresh order Rs 1,000 penalty will slapped on the person caught moving in the public places without covering the face with mask, gamchha (handmade towel), handkerchief, dupatta or scarf.

For every subsequent violation, a fine of Rs 10,000 will be slapped on the person caught violating the rules.

The district administration officers have been directed to create awareness on Covid protocol, he said. The power of compounding of fine shall be vested in the related court or executive magistrate or the police officer above the rank of inspector, he said.